Gilbert Public Schools is offering choices to support a positive return to school for all of our students. 

To promote a healthy and supported beginning to our school year we are offering three learning models for our families to choose from:

• On Campus - Full Time In-Person Learning 
• GPS Flex - Elementary Flex (2 days on campus/3 days online, same classroom teacher throughout the week, utilizing GPS Global Academy platform for online learning) and Secondary Flex (flexibility to take some classes online at home minimizing time on campus, utilizing GPS Global Academy platform for online learning)
• GPS Global Academy - Full Time Online Learning 

Please note: If a student experiences a disruption to learning due to sickness there will be a flexible hybrid option in place to support their continued education.

As of 07/21/2020 if parents would like to select their learning model or change their choice please reach out to your campus.  Thank you.

Existing GPS Families Instructions

1. Log in to your existing Infinite Campus Parent Portal (Infinite Campus Portal Information & Help) - Options will be live starting July 7, 2020.
2. The first screen will display all of your children and their selected back to school option. If you do not see all of your children on this screen, please reach out to your child's school.
3. Click the "Update Selection" button next to your child that you would like to update their back to school option.
4. After clicking the "Update Selection" button, the screen will ask which option you would like to choose for your student. 
5. After selecting which option you would like to choose for your child, click the submit button.

If you have any issues selecting options for any of your children, please reach out to your child's school.

Please Note: After selecting your child's back to school option, it does not guarantee that your child will be placed into that option. Your child's school will reach out to you by phone or email to discuss and finalize any change in your child's back to school option.

No, you are all set and don't need to take any actions.

Please review the options here on our district website and reach out directly to your student's campus to make your choice.  Thank you.

Beginning the School Year Online August 5th

Please visit www.gilbertschools.net/backtoschool for more information!

Please note, our school offices at the K-8 level officially re-open July 20th.  Prior to that date, it may take longer than usual for your school team to respond to any questions you might have.  Thank you for your patience.

Yes, it is new and improved and now called GPS Global Academy, and offered K-12.

A key enhancement is the instructional model which will include online synchronous class lessons taught by full-time teachers who will also be meeting with students in small groups and providing additional assistance via phone, WebEx, and email during the school day. 

Also, the teachers will be enriching the courses, assignments and assessments and everything will be assigned by our full-time GPS teachers. 

These enhancements will create a much more interactive and teacher-supported experience for our students learning online through GPS Global Academy.

Also, GPS Global Academy will now offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Honors courses for our students.

To learn more please visit www.gilbertschools.net/global

For a full list of secondary courses that will be available online via GPS Global Academy, and accessible to Flex students online please visit https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/2028 on our GPS Global Academy website.

Please note a range of AP and Honors classes will be offered online.  Information is being added to the page above and this website as it becomes available.

Teachers will be available during school hours to provide virtual lessons and additional small group and 1:1 support online.  If students are not available during the day for their online learning days, they could work on the lessons independently and email teachers with questions and additional clarification.

Our Building Blocks 3 and 4, Kindergarten-Prep, TOYBOX will be offered in-person on-campus. A range of preventative measures will be in place:

• Drop-off/pick-up provided with curbside procedures.
• Smaller class sizes are anticipated due to lower numbers
• Frequent breaks and washing of hands between rotations
• Within classes students stay in groups of five
• Regular hand washing and hand sanitizing stations available in every classroom
• Individually assigned manipulative and instructional materials, as possible

Amanecer Developmental Preschool will be in-person beginning August 17th.

Yes, transportation will continue to be provided for students attending in person at their boundaried school based on the district’s normal transportation procedures.

It is not possible to achieve social distancing on our buses, however, there will be extensive cleaning protocols in place including morning and nightly spraying down of our bus interiors, regular wiping down of the surfaces, and staff will wear masks. Students will be asked to wear masks while on the bus.

If a student gets on the bus without a mask, the driver will provide a disposable mask to the student.  In addition, we encourage parents to have their children sit together on the bus when possible.

It is not possible at this time to provide transportation for students who select the flex options.

Yes. We recommend that students wait until a quarter or semester break, but families may make arrangements with their destination school on an appropriate return date.

A number of changes to our classrooms and campus set-ups are being made to reduce the proximity of students as much as possible. It is important to note that working in groups will still take place and will be managed in such a way the learning and health and safety are supported as best as possible under the current circumstances. These include but are not limited to: 

• When possible, student desks and tables will be front-facing.  At the elementary level,  tables may have taped off student areas to help define the individual student areas.
• Cleaning protocols including deep cleaning and frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces
• Staggering bell schedules during the school day at the secondary level
• Hand sanitizer stations throughout the school
• Plexiglass in specific areas
• Sanitization “gun” for deep cleaning of schools
• Not sharing supplies, for example pencils, instruments
• Students welcome to bring their own wipes
• Opening up common areas during lunch to create extra space for students to spread out to eat, library, grass areas etc.  At the elementary level, spacing students apart and lunch periods staggered as needed.
• At this time face coverings are required on our campuses, as per the Maricopa County Emergency Order, we do not know what the requirements will or won’t be when school begins

You can view more details regarding Health Services procedures and protocols that have been put in place here.

Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the school and each classroom will have hand sanitizer supplied.  Schools and classrooms will be deep cleaned every night, with deep cleaning nightly in high use areas such as bathrooms, weight rooms, cafeterias, auditoriums, gymnasiums.  Desks and chairs will be wiped down regularly with sanitization materials to include clorox or alcohol wipes, antibacterial, anti viral sprays etc.  In addition, JH and HS students can bring their own wipes to school and can choose to wipe down their chair and desk as they wish throughout the day.

Parents are responsible to stay informed on the latest facts and new developments related to COVID-19.

• Stay informed about COVID-19 through reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS). This includes new information on symptoms, complications, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent transmission.
• Recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, fever, shortness of breath etc.) in your child.
• Seek medical advice by calling your health facility/provider and then take your child in, if advised.
• Remember that symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever can be similar to those of the flu or the common cold.
• Practice and reinforce good prevention habits with your family.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

We are following the recommendations of the Maricopa Department of Health regarding criteria for what constitutes exposure and what is recommended for the isolation of positive and exposed students and staff. We will notify parents of any exposure their child has from a positive staff member or classmate. At the time of the notification, there will be directives depending on the type of exposure.

Currently, the directive from Maricopa Department of Health is not sending home an entire class due to one positive student or teacher as this is now a community-wide illness. We will continue to work closely with them regarding these guidelines as well as reporting any positive cases at a campus.

Parents will be educated on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and will be required to keep their child home if they are exhibiting any signs. Parents will be expected to check their student(s) for symptoms daily.  All of our campuses are staffed with Nurses and/or Health Assistants who will assess students who become ill while at school. 

Additionally, we have modified our Health Office guidelines in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This will help us assist students who require first aid and medication, while also preventing them from being exposed to children who become ill while at school.

Employees will be educated on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and will be required to stay home if they are exhibiting any signs. Employees will also be asked to complete a self-screening questionnaire, daily.  All of our campuses are staffed with Nurses and/or Health Assistants who will provide support should an employee have questions or need to be assessed while at work.

Prior to sending a student to school, parents will be required to temperature check their child as well as check for any COVID-19 related symptoms.  If a student exhibits symptoms at school, they will be temperature checked in the Health Office.

Elementary

At the elementary school level, lunch will be staggered and the time between each lunch period lengthened to allow for fewer students in the lunchroom at a time.  Students coming from the classroom will be organized alphabetically and walked to the cafeteria.  Each student will be identified at the cash register where the nutrition services worker can identify the student’s account.  Otherwise, the student must know his student number so that staff can input the account information. Again, hand sanitizers and ongoing cleaning of tables and chairs will occur throughout the lunch periods.

Secondary

Tables will be spread out in the lunchroom with fewer chairs at each table. Students will be provided spaces outside, in libraries, and other areas throughout the building to eat their lunch spreading out students.  Again, hand sanitizers and ongoing cleaning of tables and chairs will occur throughout the lunch periods.

Important Reminders for Elementary and Secondary

1.  Student cards shall be discontinued for the start of school - students must be identified with the Point of Service machine or must know their account number to be entered in by nutrition services staff.
2. Salad bars will be eliminated at least initially at the start of school
3. Choice will be provided but each meal and side will be prepared in the morning and packaged to facilitate placing on student trays and to minimize clean up and spillage
4. Cafeteria tables will be marked decreasing table capacity by 30% to 50% to minimize proximity to other students.
5. Additional garbage cans will be provided for disposal of completed meal packaging and leftovers. 
6. After each lunch period, tables and seats will be wiped down for the next group of students.

As the numbers for breakfast are much less than for lunch, it is expected that breakfast will occur as normal as possible.  Seating will be provided, however, further apart and hand sanitizing stations will be readily available in the cafeterias and multipurpose rooms.  Students will be required to wear a mask while entering the cafeteria and will remove their masks once seated in order to eat, under the current Maricopa County Order as of 06/19/2020.

At this time, June 23, 2020 face coverings are required on our campuses when six-foot physical distancing is not possible and barring exceptions, as per the Maricopa County Emergency Order, Town of Gilbert Emergency Order, and City of Mesa Proclamation.  We do not know what the requirements will be or won’t be when school begins on August 5. We will continue to keep our community updated.

If a student comes under the exemptions for wearing face coverings, under the County guidelines, please reach out directly to your campus to inform them of this.  At this time, as per the County guidelines, Preschool and Kindergarten students will not be required to wear face coverings.

Students will be allowed to wear a face shield instead of a mask if that is their preference.

At this time, June 23, 2020 face coverings are required on our campuses when six-foot physical distancing is not possible and barring exceptions, as per the Maricopa County Emergency Order, Town of Gilbert Emergency Order, and City of Mesa Proclamation.  We do not know what the requirements will be or won’t be when school begins on August 5.  We will continue to keep our community updated.

Our guiding principles for delivering support for our special education students and families during this time include: 

• Providing instruction based upon IEP goals
• Providing accommodations and/or modifications based upon student needs
• Communicating clearly and in a timely manner
• Implementing best teaching practices

On campuses, we will provide special education support through:

• Service delivery on campus per IEP 
• Accommodations/modifications provided per IEP
• Related service transportation provided
• IEPs and Evaluations conducted on campus

For our Elementary Flex option:

• K-6 students will attend 2 days a week on campus with teacher and use online platform 3 days a week to complete learning activities
• Services and specialized  instruction will be provided
• Accommodations and modifications are provided
• Program participation dependent upon availability and capacity

For our Secondary Flex option:

• 7-12 students attend some classes on campus, 5 days/week
• A portion of the schedule is provided in-person and the remainder online
• Services and specialized  instruction will be provided
• Accommodations and modifications are provided
• Campus staff will contact parents to discuss scheduling of courses.

For full-time online GPS Global Academy, special education support will be available for K-12th grade and:

• Instruction is provided per school calendar
• Accommodations and modifications will be provided
• Access to teacher(s) 5 days per week
• In-person small group service/instruction available as appropriate
• Staff will contact parents to discuss appropriate online learning supports and courses.

Yes, VIK will be provided at the 27 elementary locations with structured door side drop-off/pick-up.  There will be small/consistent group assignments and a wide range of preventative measures in place, including cleaning protocols.

Dual-Language Spanish Immersion is currently offered at Gilbert Elementary.  For the beginning of the 2020/21 school year, we will be offering Dual-Language Spanish Immersion through the on-campus in-person option.  All members of our Gilbert Elementary community will be receiving direct communication from our Gilbert Elementary Principal Justin Sremba and his team.

All three models will be offered for Traditional classrooms. The Flex model will be offered based on enrollment at each campus.

We are using a phased approach that reflects existing guidelines at a national, state, and local level.

We are using a phased approach that reflects existing guidelines at a national, state, and local level.  

For performing arts, marching bands, choirs etc there is guidance from national organizations on the best ways to utilize space to promote social distancing, or working together in smaller groups using sections.  Our district and campus teams are reviewing these guidelines and will share decisions as they are made with our students and families.

Storage facilities for instruments and set-up plans for practice are also being looked at to ensure that students are not congregating in large groups.

At the elementary level, there will be no field trips during the first quarter and field trips for later in the school year will be reassessed.

Secondary field trips, including athletics and performing arts, will be assessed on a month-by-month basis. Recommendations of appropriate and/or associated organizations, such as the AIA, will also be considered in determining outcomes for GPS.

Yes, all 7-12 students automatically get a Chromebook, and those elementary students who need a Chromebook will be able to check one out from their school.

Within the curriculum maps and scope and sequence documents that teachers use, there are intentional notifications and resources to provide additional support as students learn the current grade-level standards that would build on 4th quarter concepts. In addition, there will be diagnostic screeners available for teachers to identify students who have gaps in foundational skills. Using whole group, small group, and/or intervention settings, teachers will support students with specific identified needs in reading either in person or through the virtual platform.

Students at GPS Global Academy can be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at their home school as long as they stay current with their coursework.

Yes!

AP courses will be offered in all three learning models.  Specific courses will be dependent on teacher assignments and qualifications; however, it is our intent to provide access to whatever courses that have been originally scheduled for the student. More information will be available when counselors contact students who have chosen the flex or GPS Global Academy delivery models about their change.

The GPS gifted model provides gifted services to elementary students, grades 4-6 grades and will be available in all delivery model choices:

• Gifted math will be accelerated one year above the actual grade level.
• Gifted sixth graders will use the adopted ELA curriculum with learning extensions that include critical and higher-order thinking skills.

Gifted services as part of the Flex options will be based upon the need and availability of resources.

Gifted Information (pdf)

GTC students can take honors courses in all delivery models and will receive additional support from an assigned gifted teacher. With the flex model, they can take the courses that they prefer in person and then the other honors classes online. With the GPS Global Academy model, students will take the honors courses online.

Gifted Information (pdf)

Elementary gifted students will receive support from a gifted teacher and will also receive the same gifted services that currently exists as the GPS model: accelerated math (4-6 grade) and ELA (6th grade). With the flex or GPS Global Academy options, this gifted teacher support may not be the campus teacher.

Please visit gilbertschools.net/testing to keep up to date with testing plans.

Our Department of Assessment and Accountability will regularly update the website as information is provided.  Our goal is to keep our community up to date and to share information as soon as it is available.

Students who choose any of the three models will have the option to attend EVIT. We will share specific information when we receive it from EVIT.

Schools are working on plans to welcome students back in a variety of ways.